As I’m (sort of) approaching the end of my first semester at NYU, I have quite confidently decided that it’s just not the place for me. I’m involved on campus, have a solid GPA within the liberal studies program, and yet I just know I want something else. I’m considering some ivies (Brown,Dartmouth, maybe Yale), Northwestern, and some on-par LACs. Here’s my question: NYU is an expensive school, and if I’m unhappy here, taking a semester off before transfer seems logical. But will taking next semester off hurt my chances of transfer? I’d be willing to stick it out her if that’s the case, but I’m just trying to weigh all of my options. Help!
Here is what you should know-- the seats at Ivy-plus schools that are available for transfers is largely tied to attrition. Since attrition is almost non-existent in the top Ivy schools, so are the seats available. By way of example, recently, Harvard had over 1500 applicants and admitted about 15, and Yale had over a 1000 applicants in which about 2 dozen were offered seats. Brown is close to 5%. Princeton takes no transfers. So, while being qualified is certainly a criteria, the other portion must convey why these schools; typical reasons are that these schools offer programs and/or degrees not offered at your existing institution. Transferring because of the desire to attend a more elite institution is NOT consider a valid reason for transfer.
Second, that you could have obtained admission as a freshmen applicant. Third, that you have perfect scores at your current institution. Long story short…it is much more difficult to obtain admission as a transfer than as applying for a freshmen seat…
So, the more germane Q, might be is whether you even have the right schools on your list…
Taking time off will not make your chances any worse than they already are at the places on your list.
Arrange a leave of absence from NYU so you can go back if you decide that it is your best option after you find out where you have/haven’t been admitted as a transfer, and take the semester off.